The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has declared that she wants Europe to become ‘the first climate-neutral continent by 2050’, and in December 2019, the Commission presented the European Green Deal in order to achieve this objective. However, even though greenhouse gas emissions from the EU have fallen by more than 20 per cent since 1990, the Union remains the third largest emitter in the world, after the United States and China.
What are the opportunities and challenges for raising climate ambition in Europe? And what is the role of business in achieving this change?
Johanna and Ben are joined in the studio by two guests: Imke Lubbeke, Head of EU Climate and Energy Policy at the WWF, and Jen Austin, Policy Director of the We Mean Business coalition.
Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the postponement of COP26 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.